Shujaa veteran Andrew Amonde announces official transition to coaching career

Former Kenya 7s captain Andre Amonde has announced an official start to his coaching tenure as he aims to transition fully to management after a playing career that has spanned well over fifteen years both in the local and international rugby scene.

Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Amonde, who remains to be the only Kenyan skipper to ever lead the country to a main cup triumph in the global Sevens World Series, disclosed that his priority at 38 years has shifted from playing to coaching where he dreams of contributing to the game from the touchlines.

In the just concluded 2022 National Sevens Circuit, Asusu followed his international retirement from the 7s game with a hanging of boots in the local competition as he kick started the transition to coaching.

“I will not be competing anymore in the local 7s Circuit after featuring in the 2022 season which was my last. I think it is time to pass the baton to the young ones and there was no better place to do that than the local league,” Amonde told Mozzart Sport.

“The big thing I am working on right now is coaching and that includes getting my papers ready and doing everything it entails. I have already started working with KCB as a coach so mine is just to try and inspire as many as possible,” he added.

Amonde, who also captained Shujaa to their maiden Olympics in 2016, revealed that he had already completed the World Rugby Level 1 coaching course, and is currently in the process of doing the Level 2 course before officially getting full accreditation.

“I have done my level 1 coaching both in 15s, 7s and in Strength and Conditioning. What I am working on getting is Level 2 before I officially start working as a coach,” he stated.

The two time Olympian, who disclosed that he would only be making cameo appearances in the Kenya Cup with his KCB side next season, revealed that it would be a dream come true for him to transform the game at the national team sides where he played after he becomes a coach.

“I want to grow slowly in the ranks. First, I want to see how KCB can grow and improve even further. My biggest dream is to be able to change everything that I have seen happening at the national team especially where I was at the Kenya 7s. I would want to see the 15s go to the World Cup and to see the 7s become a consistent side that is competitive enough and not just a participant,” Amonde concluded.

Amonde exits Kenya 7s scene as a legend who started from the bottom